Clock



Sept. 4, 1934. l. REINER 1,972,461

CLOCK Filed Jan. 14, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR [iv/any Beaner cg; BY

ATTORNEY I. REINER Sept. 4, 1934.

CLOCK Filed Jan. 14, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR cg; BY

ATTORNEY ratentea Dept. q, 1954 CLOCK Irving Reiner, New Y0l'k, N. Y. Application January 14, 1932, Serial No. 536,581

1 Claim.

This invention relates to clocks and more particularly to electrically-operated clocks.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view arc:To provide an electric clock which utilizes a minimum amount of current for its operation; to actuate the clock by only a momentary flow of current with each swing of the pendulum or balance wheel; to obtain actuation of the hand operating gearing during the interval when the mechanism is influenced by the electric current; to obtain a make and break switch construction of an oscillatory character such that the contact is completed only when the oscillation is on its forward stroke and not on its rearward stroke; to provide a clock which is of a rugged character and adapted for automobile use; to avoid a short circuit of the battery for operating the clock should the clock discontinue its movement; to secure simplicity of construction and operation; and to obtain other advantages and results as may be brought out in the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a face view of a clock embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a rear view of the clock;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the mechanism with the outer casing removed;

Figure 4 is a similar view with the balance wheel, regulator, and bridge removed;

Figures 5 and 6 are edge views of the mechanism looking at the same from opposite sides;

Figure '7 is a sectional view substantially on line '7--7 of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a front view with the face removed shown substantially on line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 99 looking downwardly with respect to the showing of Figure 3;

Figures 10 and 11 are elevations of the make and break mechanism showing the same on the forward or contact completing stroke and the rearward stroke respectively of the pendulum or balance wheel; and

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuit through the magnet and make and break mechanism.

In the description:

In the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in said drawings, the reference numeral 15 indicates the clock case in general carrying a suitable dial 16 at the front thereof. The rear of the case provides a pair of binding posts or the like 17 and 18, one of which as 17, here shown as the plus terminal may be grounded with respect to the case while the other one, as 18, is insulated from the case. Likewise the back of the case is provided with a closure 19 which can be swung aside to expose an opening 20 into the case for obtaining access to the interior for regulation or other purposes.

The clock includes the usual hands 21 and 22 operated through a usual train of reduction gearing 23 from a worm 24 (see Figure 8). This worm is shown fast upon a shaft 25 suitably mounted in bearings 26-26, said shaft carrying a ratchet wheel 27 to be operated with a step by step motion by the mechanism. wherein the present invention inheres more particularly.

Within the casing and preferably parallel to the dial of the clock are a pair of spaced and parallel frame plates, of which one may conveniently be also the dial 16 whereas the other plate 28 is within the casing behind the dial at a distance therefrom to provide space for the train of gearing 23 above mentioned. The ratchet wheel 27 has one segment of its periphery projecting through the inner frame plate 28 to the rear side thereof. On the rear side of this plate 28 and held thereto by suitable means such as a screw 29, is a leaf spring 30. As here shown the leaf spring depends from its supporting screw 29 and for the sake of brevity and clarity the parts will be considered in the position illustrated in the following description. Below the point of attachment of this leaf spring 30 is secured a rigid arm 31 which, in normal position, lies parallel to the spring and extends to a short distance from the bottom of the spring so that an end or lip portion of the spring projects beyond the lower end of arm 31. The arm is furthermore shaped so that its lower portion provides a fiat surface facing the spring and in contact therewith.

When the lower end of the spring is actuated in a direction toward the arm, the spring and arm will swing forwardly together, as shown in Figure 10. The two parts, namely the spring and arm will likewise swing back together when released to normal upright position as shown in Figure 4. Projecting laterally from the arm 31 near its lower end is a pin 32, said pin having its other end directed into a slot 33 in the plate 28. This slot 33 is in the direction of forward swing of the arm 31 beginning at the normal upright position of the arm. Consequently, when the arm with the spring is released, it swings back to normal upright-position and can swing no further in a rearward direction because the said pin 32 engages the end of slot 33. Any continued tendency to actuate the spring 30 rearwardly merely obtains a flexing of the spring.

The mechanism just described constitutes a part of the make and break switch construction. The arm 31 is of conductive material and grounds through spring 30 and screw 29 so as to have electrical connection with binding post 17. On the forwardly moving side of the arm 31 is provided a contact point 34 which point will come into contact with a spring member 35 in the path of movement of said contact point. This spring member is insulated from the casing and obtains support at its upper end from a bus bar 36 likewise insulated from the casing. This spring member 35 is normally out of engagement from the contact point 34, and therefore no current passes when the clock is stopped. Current passes only at a brief interval duringthe forward and corresponding rearward oscillatory movement of arm 31 at the outer end of the amplitude of movement of the said arm.

In order to operate the arm 31 with an oscillatory movement and effect the briefest contact possible between the contact point and spring member, I provide a balance wheel 37 mounted on a shaft 38 perpendicular to the frame plate 28. This balance wheel has the usual hair spring 39 and regulator 40. In association with this balance wheel, and preferably secured to the shaft 38 is a cam 41 which is oscillated with the balance wheel. As here shown, the cam is of a toothed nature, that is, provides a projection rising sharply from the adjacent surface, and the parts are so positioned that this tooth-like cam may engage the lower lip portion of the spring 30. With each forward movement of the balance wheel spring 30 and arm 31 are swung forwardly until the tooth, because of its rotary motion, disengages the end of the spring. The tooth may continue to the end of this amplitude of movement without further affecting the spring, which, because of its inherent resiliency snaps back to its normal position. Electric contact has thus been obtained between arm 31 and member 35 only for a very small portion of the oscillatory movement of the balance wheel. As the balance wheel returns in its rearward motion or amplitude, the tooth again engages the lip of spring 30 and swings the same away from the arm 31 as shown in Figure 11, since the arm is held against further oscillation in that direction by pin 32 engaging the end of slot 33. Again the tooth swings beneath the spring thereupon returns to initial and normal position fiatwise against the arm 31. The balance wheel completes the rearward oscillation and moves forwardly to its mid point of oscillation where it again engages the rear side of spring 30, and begins to actuate it forwardly again as. above described.

During the forward actuation of arm 31, suitable mechanism is provided for imparting a forward movement to ratchet 27. As here shown a pawl 42 is attached to the arm and extends to the said ratchet conveniently beyond a normal radius and with an appropriately hooked end to engage in the teeth of the ratchet. The hooked end will slide over the teeth when actuated in the returned direction. The ratchetis prevented from backward movement by any suitable locking dog such as spring dog 43.

Impetus to the balance wheel is preferably applied during the forward movement thereof while .pawl 42 is in engagement with ratchet 2'7. This impetus is secured through an electromagnet 44 having pole pieces 45, 45 above and below the balance wheel. The balance wheel carries an armature 46 which is preferably at approximately a 45 degree angle to the pole pieces when at rest. A current passing through the electromagnet will polarize the pole pieces and attract the armature which thereupon tends to assume a position perpendicular to the pole pieces thereby actuating the balance wheel in its forward movement. The electric-circuit to the electromagnet 44 is in series therewith and with the contact point 34 and contact member 35. As here shown, the end wire from the electro magnet extends up to a screw 47 which is insulated from the frame plate 28 but extends through the same into mechanical and electrical engagement of bus bar 36. The other end wire of the electromagnet extends to another screw 48 also electrically insulated from the frame plate and serving the second purpose of attaching a spring clip 49 to the frame but insulated from said frame, said spring clip extending toward the rear of the casing and making contact with negative binding post 18 as clearly shown in,Figure 5. Any suitable source of electric current may be applied to the binding posts, and because of the rugged character of the clock mechanism, the device is particularly adapted to utilization in an automobile in which event the storage battery of that vehicle would be utilized as the source of current. It will be appreciated that the drain of current from a battery will be very slight because of the very limited time during each oscillation of the balance wheel, during which the circuit is closed. Likewise, there can be no short circuiting of the battery or continuously closed circuit in event the clock stops since the contact point and contact member are not in engagement when the balance wheel is at rest.

Any suitable means may be utilized for starting the operation of the clock, and as an exemplification of such a means, I have shown a swivel post 50 having an arm 51 secured thereto with an end of the arm projecting through a slot 52 in the dial 16. By depressing the projecting end of arm 51 post 50 is rotated. A spring 53 on the post returns the same to initial position when the arm is released. At the inner end of the post is a U- shaped spring 54, one leg of which is attached to the post and the other leg of which is adjacent to the balance wheel. When the post is rotated the spring 54 is swung obtaining a contact with the balance wheel after which continued swinging actuates the balance wheel forwardly away from its normal position of rest. This closes the electric contact heretofore described and release of the arm 51 then releases the balance wheel which proceeds to function as above described.

I claim:

A device as characterized comprising a clock mechanism having electrical actuating means therefor, and an automatic make and break switch by which the electrical actuating means is positively energized during the interval when said switch is closed, said switch comprising a rigid arm and a spring supporting said arm enabling the arm to be swung, said arm and spring being positioned with the free end of said arm normally in fiatwise engagement adjacent the free end of the spring whereby actuation imparted to the lower end of the spring in a direction toward the arm swings the arm simultaneously with the spring, and actuation of the spring in the opposite direction separates the spring from the arm, and a contact member in the path of forward movement of said arm for closing the electric circuit. 

